Patent GB-190213009-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Letter Boxes or Receptacles.
Inventor: MARX FRANZ
Filed: 1902-06-07
Granted: 1902-10-02
Abstract: 13,009. Marx, F., and Merei, E. June 7. Mail bags used in connection with letter-boxes. Letterboxes, consisting of casings 1, Fig. 1, having metallic roofshaped or sloping covers 2, are fitted at the bases with frames 7 having side-plates 11, 12, Fig. 3, and end locking-plates 13, 14, Figs. 3, 5, and 11, the skirting or flanges 6 of the casing 1 serving to cover the locking- plates &c. The locking-plates have slits through which project the pins or projections 15,16, 17 on the safety devices or bars 18, the detents 19, and the locking bolts or plates 20, respectively, all constituting the locking-mechanism. To the frame 7, or to the sides 11, 12, are hinged doors 8, 9, Fig. 11, having arms 44, 45 connected together by a pivoted link 46, so that, when one door is actuated, the other is also moved. The doors are normally held in the closed position by catches 35 on the pivoted spring arms 30 pivoted on the inner sides of the plates or casings 13, 14, the catches engaging with projections 36 on the door 8. The doors are opened by sliding the frame of the mail bag, Fig. 14, over the frame 7, and are again automatically closed on withdrawing the frame of the mail bag, the mail bag by both operations being also opened and closed automatically, so that the postman may not have access to the letters. The frame of the mail bag is formed like the key, Fig. 3, which may be used to open the doors to effect repairs &c., and consists of side pieces 37 of angular sections connected at the rear ends by a bar 39 and at the front by an operating-handle 40. The side pieces 37 are slid in the direction of the arrows, Fig. 3, over the ends of the frame 7, when the bevelled ends 41 of the pieces 37 engage with the projection 15, thus lifting the arms 18 to bring projections 22 thereon in line with openings 27 in the flanges 21 of the locking-bolts 20 ; cams 42 on the side pieces lift the projections 16, thus causing the detents 19 to rotate on their pivots 26 so as to bring the ends of the detents in line with openings in flanges at the other ends of the locking-bolts ; and finally, projections 43 on the pieces 37 engage with the projections 17, thus sliding the bolt 20 which is now free to move. The bolts 20 have pins 29 projecting through slits in place at the rear, the pins engaging with arms 30 which they push aside to release the doors. On the withdrawal of the key or frame, the bar 39 which passes under the frame 7 engages with the door 8, which it lifts, and thus closes both doors, the catches 35 automatically engaging with the projections on the door 8 as before. A card or indicator 5 to denote the time of discharge or clearing is held in a casing 4, to prevent removal until the doors are opened, by means of an arm 47', Fig. 12, passing through the casing 1 and having a bent end 50 at one end which, when the doors are closed, presses the card against the frame. The card has projections to prevent removal, and the other end of the arm passes through a slit in a plate 49 and rests on the door 9 when this is closed. The mouth of the mail bag is connected at one side with the bar 39, and at the opposite side with a bar 58 which moves on fittings on the side pieces 37, the ends of the bag being connected by rings with rods or fittings on the frame. To the plate 58 is attached a plate 62, Fig. 17, which covers the mouth of the bag when closed. To a bar or spindle 65 are pivoted a number of spring plates 64 having catches 67 which enter slits in the bar 39 to secure the bag. To open the bag, the bar 39 is placed over the bar 7, or over a key, so that projections 68<1> on the frame or key enter slits in the bar 39, thus lifting the plates G4 and releasing the catches.